within the period of six months from the date of the certificate, shall not be recognized as a local preacher in our Church, unless he satisfy the Quarterly Conference to which he may apply that the failure to do so was unavoidable. (¶740.)

SECTION XIII

OF RECEIVING MINISTERS FROM OTHER CHURCHES

Question. How shall we receive ministers who offer to unite with us from other Christian Churches?

¶197. Ans. 1. Ministers of other Churches, who desire to unite with us as local preachers, may be received by a District Conference, upon giving satisfaction that they are suitable persons, provided they stand an approved examination on the Course of Study prescribed for local preachers; but they shall not exercise the peculiar functions of deacons or elders until their orders are recognized by the Annual Conference: provided, that the Bishop may allow ministers thus received to exercise their functions as deacons or elders until the session of the Annual Conference.

¶198. Ans. 2. After such reception, and a recommendation by the District Conference, if satisfied that they are in orders and that they agree with us in doctrine and discipline, and also sat

isfied with their gifts, grace, and usefulness, the Annual Conference may recognize them without the reimposition of hands, on condition that they take upon them our ordination vows. If they cannot attend the Annual Conference, they shall send a certified subscription to our doctrines and discipline, and to our ordination

VOWS.

¶199. Ans. 3. Ministers of other Churches, accredited as ministers or elders, who desire to unite with us as traveling preachers, may be admitted as deacons or elders into full connection by an Annual Conference: provided, that the Conference is satisfied with their gifts, grace, and usefulness, and their agreement with us in doctrine and discipline, on condition that they take upon them our ordination vows, without the reimposition of hands: provided, further, that all ministers, except those who may come to us from the Methodist Episcopal Church, the British Wesleyan Church, the Methodist Church of Canada, and the Methodist Protestant Church, be required to pass through the Course of Study prescribed by our Bishops for undergraduates, and that their examination be approved by the several committees (See ¶68): and provided, finally, that this paragraph shall not apply to local preachers.

¶200. Ans. 4. When a minister has been received and his orders recognized, he shall be fur

nished a certificate signed by one of our Bish

ops, as follows:

This is to certify that

received as a local preacher on

has been admitted into

Conference as a traveling preacher [or has been Circuit], he having been ordained to the office of a deacon [or an elder, as the case may be, according to the usages of the Church, of which he has been a member and minister; and he is hereby authorized to exercise the functions pertaining to his office in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, so long as his life and conversation are such as become the gospel of Christ.

Given under my hand and seal, at day of —, in the year of our Lord

this

SECTION XIV

OF EXHORTERS

Question 1. What directions are given concerning the licensing of persons to exhort?

¶201. Ans. 1. The Quarterly Conference shall have authority to license proper persons to exhort, and to renew their licenses annually, when, in its judgment, their gifts, grace, and usefulness warrant.

¶202. Ans. 2. No person shall be licensed to exhort until recommended by the Church of which he is a member, or by the leaders' meeting of his charge; nor shall any license be valid unless signed by the President of the Conference. Ques. 2. What are the duties of an exhorter?

$203. Ans. To hold meetings for prayer and exhortation whenever opportunity is afforded, subject to the direction of the preacher in charge.

Ques. 3. What further directions are given concerning exhorters?

¶204. Ans. 1. Let every exhorter diligently exercise the functions of his office, without assuming those of a preacher.

¶205. Ans. 2. Every exhorter shall be, ex officio, a member of the Quarterly Conference of his charge; but in all other respects he shall be dealt with as a private member of the Church.

4206. Ans. 3. When an exhorter removes from one charge to another, he shall not be recognized as such unless he obtain from the Presiding Elder of the District or from the preacher in charge a certificate of his official standing.

SECTION XV

OF CLASS LEADERS

Question 1. How are class leaders appointed? ¶207. Ans. By the preacher in charge, who shall appoint one person in each class to be its leader. (9744.)

Ques. 2. What are the regulations concerning class leaders?

¶208. Ans. 1. Let them be of sound judgment and truly devoted to God.

¶209. Ans. 2. Let every one of them be carefully examined by the preacher in charge at least once a quarter, concerning his method of leading his class.

¶210. Ans. 3. It is the leader's duty,

(1) To see each person in his class at least once a week, in order to inquire how his soul prospers; to advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require; to receive what he is willing to give for the relief of the preachers, Church, and poor.

(2) To meet the ministers and stewards of the society once a week, in order,

To inform the minister of any that are sick or that walk disorderly and will not be reproved. To pay the stewards what he received from his class during the preceding week.

SECTION XVI

OF STEWARDS

Question 1. How are stewards appointed? 9211. Ans. The preacher in charge shall have the right to nominate, subject to the confirmation or rejection of the Quarterly Conference. (¶¶745, 746.)